ISLAMABAD: Pakistan confirmed on Friday that additional troops have been deployed to Saudi Arabia under a bilateral defense agreement signed last year, with any future mobilization to be determined collectively through a trilateral alliance with the Kingdom and Türkiye. This decision comes amid escalating regional tensions and heightened military activities.
The announcement follows an emergency meeting of the alliance’s Strategic Political and Defense Committee (SPDC) in Riyadh on Oct. 5. During the session, foreign and defense ministers, along with military chiefs from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye, agreed to accelerate the implementation of their collective defense commitments.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a bilateral Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) last year, while the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement was concluded by the three nations in August. Under the terms of the Makkah pact, an armed attack on any one member is considered an act of aggression against all three.
These defense arrangements have taken on greater urgency amid intensified attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement on Saudi Arabian territory. Notably, strikes on airports in Riyadh and Abha on Oct. 6 and 7 reportedly resulted in casualties and injuries.
Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan briefed the media on the developments, noting that Pakistani armed forces have maintained a presence in the Kingdom since 1982, which has continued and expanded under the SMDA. “Now, following the recent SPDC meeting, the three countries have decided that appropriate mobilization will be carried out as per the requirements on the ground,” Khan stated.
He clarified that the alliance’s headquarters in Riyadh will assess the threat landscape to determine the scale, timing, and location of any further deployments. “The organization and the alliance at headquarters will decide the specifics of what is needed, and the member countries will be appropriately involved,” Khan added.
Khan emphasized that Pakistan already maintains a substantial military footprint and resource allocation in Riyadh. He highlighted the collective commitment to ensuring deterrence and safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Saudi Arabia. “Pakistan stands in unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom. Our commitment to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security remains resolute,” Khan reiterated, affirming the Kingdom’s legitimate right to defend its citizens and critical infrastructure.
‘DEFENSIVE ALLIANCE’
The spokesperson stressed that the Makkah Alliance is strictly a defensive framework designed to deter external aggression. He noted that the alliance does not envisage Pakistani forces conducting cross-border offensive operations. “It is an alliance meant for defense from aggression, so these forces would not be crossing borders into other territories,” Khan explained.
When asked about potential operational responses, Khan declined to speculate, stating that details regarding specific forces or actions would remain confidential to preserve strategic effectiveness.
The spokesperson also addressed speculation regarding the Pakistani government’s direct involvement in alliance decisions. He confirmed that senior officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, serve on the committee overseeing the trilateral framework, ensuring the government is fully aligned. “Both are key politicians who sit in parliament and the cabinet, so the government is totally on board,” he asserted.
Khan described Saudi Arabia as a longstanding strategic partner, noting that the defense agreements have deepened existing bilateral cooperation. He also dismissed speculative reports in foreign media suggesting that Pakistani fighter jets had participated in cross-border strikes, pointing out that such claims had already been officially rejected by Pakistan’s information minister.
PAKISTANI COMMUNITY AT RISK
Finally, the spokesperson highlighted the direct impact of regional escalation on the approximately 2.5 million Pakistani nationals living and working in Saudi Arabia. Citing the recent tragic killing of a Pakistani truck driver in Yemen, Khan warned that further instability could endanger more expatriates. He affirmed that while Pakistan advocates for de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy, it remains fully prepared to protect Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and ensure the welfare and safety of its diaspora community.